Value housing for a fluid delivery system

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly for a fluid delivery system for aspirating liquid from a bottle. The valve assembly includes a valve housing for insertion into the neck of the bottle, an elastomeric valve and an elongated tube. The valve housing has a primary bore and a secondary bore which extends at an angle to the primary bore. The elastomeric valve has a head portion which lies in the primary bore and a flexible neck portion which lies in the secondary bore and which contains a socket. One end of the elongated tube is located in the socket of the flexible neck portion so that the tube extends through the secondary bore and into the interior of the bottle.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/165,137, filed on Dec.09, 1993, and now abandoned.

TECHNICAL REVIEW

The present invention relates generally to a system for dispensingliquid from a container, such as a bottle. The invention is specificallydirected to a system for aspirating liquid reagent from a container foruse in analytical instruments. A preferred reagent bottle of the typedescribed by the present invention includes an opening which is closedby a valve. A fluidic coupling component provides a fluidic connectionbetween the valve and the analytical instrument. The analyticalinstrument includes a manifold to which the coupling is connected andmeans for creating suction at the manifold. The reagent is selectivelydrawn from its container by the analytical instrument as needed inaccordance with predetermined testing procedures. As reagent is drawnfrom the bottle, air or gas must be introduced or vented into the bottleto replace the reagent. However, the bottle must be sealed with respectto liquid and gas when reagent is not being drawn, i.e., when the bottleis not attached to the instrument. A liquid seal must also be maintainedduring drawing of reagent from the bottle to prevent leakage of reagentto the outside of the bottle, i.e., when the bottle is attached to theinstrument.

Known systems for delivery of liquids such as reagent which make use ofneedles or other fluid Couplings or bayonet-like plungers have been lessthan satisfactory with respect to sealing of the bottle during andbetween drawing of fluid from the bottle.

Creating an effective fluid seal at the point where the couplingcomponent is connected to the analytical instrument is a necessaryconsideration.

Leaking around the cap of the bottle is another problem. Leaking islikely to occur if the cap is tightened too loosely following thefilling of the bottle.

The process of replacing an empty reagent bottle with a full bottleremains a difficult and time-consuming step with some prior art systems.Care must be exercised to insure that all of the components of thesystem are properly connected to insure feeding of reagent from thebottle to the analytical instrument to insure proper sealing betweeninterconnected components to prevent leaking of reagent from the system.

A liquid delivery system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,486, issued 8Aug. 1989 to Daley et at. The delivery system in the Daley patentincludes a valve assembly for a container which has a bottom opening. Avent tube extends from the valve assembly to the top of the container.The delivery system also includes a probe which has a liquid passagewayand a gas passageway. The probe is adapted to be inserted into the valveassembly so that the liquid from the container is able to flow from thecontainer through the valve assembly and into the liquid passageway ofthe probe for eventual delivery to an analytical instrument. The gaspassageway of the probe is operatively connected to the vent tube withinthe container so that air enters the container through the gaspassageway and tube to replace the liquid which is withdrawn from thecontainer. Although the liquid delivery system of Daley and the fluiddelivery system of the present invention have some similar structuralcomponents, the two systems function in very different manners withrespect to the flow of gas and liquid through the valve assembly andprobe.

These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices havebeen obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

Accordingly, it is principle object of the present invention to providea fluid delivery system for an analytical instrument which maintains agas and liquid seal to and from the liquid container when the containeris not attached to the analytical instrument and which maintains aliquid seal during drawing of liquid when the container is attached tothe analytical instrument.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fluid deliverysystem which has a first state wherein the system maintains a gas andliquid seal to and from the fluid container and a second or functionalstate which enables liquid to be drawn out of the container by theanalytical instrument and air or other gas to be drawn into thecontainer from outside of the container.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of aspirating:means for liquid such as reagent in which the opening to the containerextends along a generally horizontal axis and insertion of the couplingmeans through said opening relative to the bottle is along a generallyhorizontal axis.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a fluiddelivery system in which a coupling component is removably connected atone end to the analytical instrument and the other end to the containerand a fluid seal is created at both ends of the coupling component whileallowing liquid to be aspirated from the container to the instrument andair to be drawn into the container from outside of the container toreplace the aspirated liquid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fluid delivery systemin which the components of the system can be easily and accuratelyconnected without loss of liquid, thereby enabling a depleted bottle tobe easily replaced by a full bottle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cap assembly for abottle which when used in conjunction with an elastomeric valve memberor flange which prevents distortion of the valve member or flange as thevalve member or flange is compressed by the cap assembly duringtightening of the cap on the bottle.

Another object of the invention to provide a thrust washer for use witha cap for a bottle which is used in conjunction with an elastomericvalve member or flange, the thrust washer prevents distortion of theelastomeric valve member or flange as it is compressed by the thrustwasher during tightening of the cap on the bottle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a coupler for a fluiddelivery system which is removably connected to a manifold fitting of ananalytical instrument and to a fluid supply for selectively operativelyconnecting the fluid supply to the analytical instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coupler which can beeasily removed, without tools, for cleaning and disinfecting.

A further object of the invention to provide a valve housing for a fluiddelivery system for aspirating liquid from a substantially horizontalbottle which has a substantially horizontal opening and conveying theliquid to an analyzing instrument and which cooperates with a valve atthe bottle opening and tube for maintaining a liquid seal around one endof the tube and for deflecting the tube downwardly at an angle from thevalve to the bottom wall of the bottle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a fluid deliverysystem for aspirating liquid from a bottle and for conveying the liquidto an analytical instrument in which the fluid delivery system enablesthe bottle to be substantially filled with liquid and which enables theliquid to be substantially completely aspirated from the bottle.

Another object of the invention to provide a coupler for a fluiddelivery system which is connected to the manifold of an analyticalinstrument and to a reagent conduit for providing reagent to themanifold of the analytical instrument.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupler to a manifoldof an analytical instrument which on engagement to the manifold providesa fluid-tight connection.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of partsset forth in the specification and covered by the claims appendedhereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention consists of a fluid delivery system foraspirating liquid from a container or bottle having an opening which isclosed by a valve assembly having a first state, when the bottle is notattached to ion analytical instrument, for preventing the flow of gasand liquid into and out of the bottle and a second or functional statewherein gas is allowed to flow into the bottle from outside of thebottle and liquid is allowed to flow out of the bottle when the bottleis attached to an analytical instrument. The fluid delivery system alsoincludes coupling means. The coupling means is operatively connected atone end to a manifold fitting of an analytical instrument. The couplingmeans includes a plunger at its opposite end for being selectivelyoperatively connected at its other end to the valve assembly forrendering the valve assembly to the second state. The coupling means hasa liquid passageway and a gas passageway. The liquid passageway enablesliquid to be drawn or aspirated by the analytical instrument from thebottle through the valve assembly and the first passageway to theinstrument. The gas passageway enables gas, such as ambient air to flowfrom outside of the bottle through the gas passageway and the valveassembly and into the interior space of the bottle to replace the volumeof the aspirated liquid.

The invention also consists of a cap assembly for application to athreaded neck portion of a bottle which has a central longitudinal axis.The cap assembly includes a cap and a thrust washer. The cap has an endwall and a threaded side wall fox screwing onto the threaded neckportion of a bottle. The thrust washer lies within the side wall againstthe end wall. The .thrust washer is mounted on the cap so that thethrust washer is rotatable about the axis of the bottle neck relative tothe cap.

The invention also includes a thrust washer for a cap which lies withinthe threaded side wall of the cap and which is adapted to be mounted onthe cap for rotation relative to the cap about the axis of rotation forthe cap.

The present invention also consists of a coupler for operativelyconnecting a source of fluid or reagent to an analytical instrument. Thecoupler has a liquid passageway and a gas passageway. One end of thecoupler enables the liquid passageway to be connected to a source ofliquid to be aspirated. The other end of the coupler includes aconnector fitting which is complementary with a manifold fitting of theanalytical instrument for operatively connecting the manifold fitting tothe liquid passageway.

The invention also consists of a Valve housing for a fluid deliverysystem in which liquid is aspirated from a container or bottle andconveyed to an analyzing instrument. The housing has a cylindricalprimary bore for receiving a valve and a secondary bore which extends ata downward angle from the primary bore for receiving one end of a tube.The housing is adapted for insertion into a horizontally extending borewithin the neck portion of a bottle which contains the fluid to beaspirated. The central longitudinal axis of the bore is parallel to thegenerally horizontal central longitudinal earls of the bottle. The tubeextends from the secondary bore at a downward angle from the valvehousing to the lower most bottom wall of the bottle.

The invention also consists of a valve assembly for a fluid deliverysystem for aspirating liquid from a container or bottle and conveyingthe liquid to an analyzing instrument. The valve assembly includes avalve housing which is adapted for insertion into a generallyhorizontally extending bore of the neck of a bottle which contains thefluid to be aspirated. The valve housing contains a primary bore whichextends along a generally horizontal central longitudinal axis and asecondary bore which extends from the primary bore at a downward anglerelative to the central axis of the primary bore. The valve assemblyalso includes an elongated tube and an elastomeric valve which islocated in the primary bore. The valve includes a flexible neck portionwhich extends into the secondary bore and which contains a socket forreceiving one end of the tube. The robe extends at a downward anglerelative to the central axis of the primary bore down to the bottom wallof the bottle. The flexible neck portion of the valve forms a liquidseal at the secondary bore between the housing and the tube.

A coupler for an aspirating fluid delivery system for conveying liquidfrom a source of liquid to be aspirated to a manifold fitting on ananalytical instrument, said coupler comprising: a main body portionwhich has a central longitudinal axis, an elongated outer surface whichis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, and an elongatedliquid passageway which is substantially parallel to said longitudinalaxis; a first end potion at one end of said main body portion which hasa first end opening to said liquid passageway for operatively connectingsaid liquid passageway to said source of liquid; and a second end potionat the opposite end of said main body portion from said one end, saidsecond end portion having a connector fitting which is complementarywith said manifold fitting, said connector fitting having a second endopening to said liquid passageway for connecting said liquid passagewayto said manifold fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The character of the invention, however, may be best understood byreference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by theaccompanying representative drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a reagent bottle to which the fluiddelivery system of the present invention is operatively connected,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the reagent bottle and fluiddelivery system,

FIG. 3 is an end view of the reagent bottle and the fluid deliverysystem, looking in the direction of arrow III of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevational view of the coupling means andall of the individual elements of the valve assembly,

FIG. 5 is vertical cross-sectional view of the coupling means and valveassembly,

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve assembly,

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the coupling means,

FIG. 8 is an end view of the coupling means looking from the fight ofFIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is an end view of the coupling means looking from the left ofFIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the coupling means,

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the coupling means,

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the housing portion of the valve assembly,

FIG. 13 is an end view of the housing, looking from the left of FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is an end view of the housing looking from the right of FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the housing,

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the housing, taken alongthe line XVI--XVI of FIG. 12,

FIG. 17 is an outer end view of a thrust washer which is part of the capassembly that holds the valve assembly to the bottle,

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the thrust washer,

FIG. 19 is an inner end view of the thrust washer,

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the thrust washer takenalong the line XX--XX of FIG. 17 and looking in the direction of thearrows,

FIG. 21 is an outer end view of the cap portion of the cap assembly,

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the cap,

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap,

FIG. 24 is an outer end view of a first valve member and which formspart of the valve assembly,

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the first valve member,

FIG. 26 is an inner end view of the first valve member,

FIG. 27 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first valve member,taken along the line XXVII--XXVII of FIG. 25 and looking in thedirection of the arrows,

FIG. 28 is an outer end view of a second valve member which forms partof the valve assembly,

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the second valve member,

FIG. 30 is an inner end view of the second valve member, and

FIG. 31 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second valve membertaken along the line XXXI--XXXI of FIG. 29 and looking in the directionof the arrows.

FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of a manifold fitting of ananalytical instrument,

FIG. 33 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the manifold fitting takenalong the line XXXIII--XXXIII of FIG. 32 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows,

FIG. 34 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coupling meansoperatively connected to the manifold fitting.

FIG. 35 is a top plan view of the modified valve assembly housing, and

FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of a modified valve assembly housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, the valve assembly of the presentinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 50. Thecoupling means is generally indicated by the reference numeral 54. Thecap assembly is generally indicated by the reference numeral 52. Thevalve assembly 50, the coupling means 54 and the cap assembly 52 areoperatively connected to a reagent bottle 40 which has an interior space42, a bottom wall 45, and a neck portion 44. As shown in FIG. 5, theneck 44 of the bottle 40 has a horizontal bore 48 which extends from theouter open end of the neck to the interior space 42. The neck 44 hasexternal threads 46 which are spaced from the opening 48. A tubularinwardly-extending projection or "blowdown" 49 extends from the neckportion 44 into the space 42 and represents one part of locking meansfor the valve assembly which is described hereinafter. The "blowdown" 49is formed as a result of the plastic molding process and is shownsomewhat exaggerated in FIG. 5. The bottle 40 has a central longitudinalaxis 47 and is designed to be supported in a generally horizontalposition but at a slight angle to the horizontal as shown in FIG. 2.Also, the neck portion 44 is substantially above the centrallongitudinal axis 47 of the bottle.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the cap assembly 52 comprises a capwhich is generally indicated by the reference numeral 104 and a thrustwasher which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 106. Thevalve assembly 50 comprises a housing, a first embodiment of which isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 56, a first valve memberwhich is generally indicated by the reference numeral 58, a second valvemember which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 60 and atube 61 which extends from the valve assembly 50 into the interiorassembled operative positions in FIG. 6 and are shown operativelyconnected to the coupling means 54 in FIG. 5.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 12-16, the housing 56 has a cylindricalmain body portion, generally indicated by the reference numeral 69,which contains a primary bore 62 which has an air vent 68. The housing56 has an outer end portion, generally indicated by the referencenumeral 67, which contains an outer opening 64 to the primary bore 62and an inner end portion, generally indicated by the reference numeral71, which contains a secondary bore 66. In the preferred embodiment, themain body portion 69 tapers slightly from a relatively large diameter atthe outer end portion 67 to a relatively small diameter at the inner endportion 71. The primary bore 62 has a horizontal central longitudinalaxis 59. The secondary bore 66 extends at a downward angle from theprimary bore 62 to an inner opening 73. The bore 62 constitutes a firstchamber. The outer opening 64 constitutes a first outer opening of thefirst chamber. The second bore 66 and opening 73 constitute a firstinner opening of the first chamber. The air vent 68 is located at thetop of the bore 62 and constitutes a first intermediate opening of thebore or first chamber. A cam surface 65 extends at a downward angle fromthe primary bore 62 to the second bore 66. An annular bead 72 is locatedon the inwardly facing surface of the flange 70. Tab means, generallyindicated by the reference numeral 74, is located at the inner end ofthe housing 56. Tab means 74 comprises a relatively stiff inner tab 76and a deflectable resilient outer tab 78 which is slightly spaced fromthe tab 76. Tabs 76 and 78 extend transversely of the axis 59. Thehousing 56 is preferably made of a substantially rigid thermoplasticmaterial. In the preferred embodiment, the housing is formed byinjection molding. The material is sufficiently rigid so that the tab 76which is relatively broad along a line which is parallel with thelongitudinal axis 59 of the housing 56 is substantially non-deflectable.In contrast; the portion 78 which is relatively narrow along a linewhich is parallel with the central longitudinal axis 59 of the housingis substantially resiliently deflectable. The deflectable outer tab 78extends further from the central longitudinal axis 59 of the housingthan the relatively stiff inner portion 76. When the housing is insertedthrough the opening of the bottle 40, the tab 76 passes freely withinthe confines of the tubular projection 49, while the resilient tab 78 isdeflected by the interior surface of the projection 49 away from theinner tab and toward the axis 59. When the housing reaches the end ofthe tubular projection 49, as shown in FIG. 5, the tab 78 returns to itsnormal position adjacent the tab 76. Movement of the housing toward theopening 48 of the bottle causes the tab portion 78 to engage theprojection 49 and to deflect the tab 78 toward the tab 76. However,since the tabs 78 and 76 are slightly spaced with respect to each other,the tab 78 will be deflected a slight amount until it engages theadjacent edge surface of the tab 76. At this point, further deflectionof the tab 78 is prevented and no further outward movement of thehousing 56 is possible. Therefore, the tab means 74 and a tubularprojection 49 constitute cooperating locking means for the valveassembly 52 which enables the valve assembly to be inserted into thebottle 40 and which prevents the housing from being withdrawn from thebottle after it has been fully inserted. A housing to bottle joint(press or press and weld) is established to prevent torque transmittedfrom the cap tightening operation from rotating the housing such thatdownward deflection of the tube is not altered.

A second embodiment of the valve housing is illustrated in FIGS. 35 and36 and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 56'. Housing 56'is identical to housing 56 except that housing 56' does not have tabmeans 74. The housing is pressed into the bottle neck. All features ofhousing 56' which are identical with features of housing 56 areidentified with the same reference numeral with the addition of a primeafter the numeral.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 24-27, the first valve member 58 is madeof an elastomeric material and comprises a relatively large diameterhead potion 83 and a relatively small diameter flexible neck portion 95.The head portion 83 contains an outer second chamber 80 which has asecond outer opening 85 and an annular ridge 87 which is adjacent theopening 85. An annular external flange 89 is located adjacent the secondouter opening 85. The neck portion 95 has an inner second chamber 82which has a second inner opening or socket 88. The outer and innersecond chambers 80 and 82, respectively, are separated by a penetrablewall 84. A slit 90 is located in the wall 84 and extends from thechamber 82 to a relatively small diameter bore 93 which is connected tothe chamber 80. The slit 90 is normally closed when the valve is in afirst state due to the resilient nature of the valve member 58, so thatthe wall 84 normally provides a seal between the chambers 80 and 82.However, the slit 90 can be physically forced through an interferencefit to an open position to create an opening between the outer and innerchambers 80 and 82, respectively, when the value is in a second orfunctional state. The chamber 80 is also connected to the outside of thevalve member 58 by a plurality of air ducts 86 in the wall 84.

Referring to FIGS. 28-31, the second valve member 60 comprises anelastomeric body which has an outer surface 97 and a third chamber 92.The chamber 92 has a third outer opening 94 and a third inner opening96. An annular groove 100 is located in the outer surface 97. An annularridge 102 extends from the inner surface 91 which defines the thirdchamber 92. The ridge 102 extends into the chamber 92 at a pointapproximately mid-way between the outer and inner openings 94 and 96,respectively. An annular flange 98 extends around the outer periphery ofthe valve member 60 between the outer opening 94 and the annular groove100.

The second valve member 60 is designed to be inserted within the outersecond chamber 80 of the first valve member 58, wherein the firstannular ridge 87 of the valve member 58 engages the groove 100 of thevalve member 60. This ensures that the valve members 60 is properlylocated or seated within the chamber 80 in a predetermined position. Inthis predetermined position, the third inner opening 96 is closed by thewall 84. The opening 96 is horizontally aligned with the inner secondchamber 82 and can be operatively connected to the chamber 82 throughthe hole 93 and the slit 90. However, since the slit 90 is normallyclosed, the chamber 80 is normally sealed from the chamber 82. When thevalve member 60 is inserted within the valve member 58, the flanges 98and 89 abut as shown in FIG. 6. One end of the tube or straw 61 isinserted into the socket 88. The joined valve members 60 and 58 are theninserted into the first chamber or primary bore 62 of the housing 56 sothat the flange 89 is located between the flanges 70 and 98 as shown inFIG. 6. The free end of the tube 61 is inserted into the primary bore 62and is deflected by the cam surface 65 to the secondary bore 66 and thenthrough the secondary bore 66 so that the tube extends beyond theopening 73. As the tube 61 and valve members 60 and 58 approach theirfinal position as shown in FIG. 5, the flexible neck portion 95 strikesthe cam surface 65 and is deflected towards and into the bore 66 andforms a seal between the tube 61 and the housing 56 at the bore 66.Since the bore 66 extends at a downward angle from the valve assembly 50so that when the valve assembly 50 is inserted into the bottle 40, theopposite end of the tube contacts the lower bottom most wall 45 of thebottle 40 as shown in FIG. 2. This ensures that substantially all of thereagent within the bottle will be aspirated. The angle of the opening 66also causes the inner end of the valve member 58 to become distorted dueto the elastomeric nature of the valve member 58 as shown in FIG. 6. Theinner second chamber 82 is operatively connected to the interior space42 of the bottle through the tube 61.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cap assembly 52 comprises a cap, generallyindicated by the reference numeral 104, and a thrust washer, generallyindicated by the reference numeral 106. The details of the thrust washer106 are shown in FIGS. 17-20. Details of the cap 104 are shown in FIGS.21-23. Referring specifically to FIGS. 21-23, the cap 104 has a circularside wall 108 and an outer end wall 112 which is transverse to the sidewall 108. The inner surface of the side wall 108 has internal threads110. The end wall 112 has a circular outer opening 114 which ishorizontally aligned with a circular inner opening 116 which is definedby the inner peripheral edge 117 of the side wall 108. The cap 104 has acentral longitudinal axis 115 which extends through the center's of theopenings 114 and 116.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 17-20, the thrust washer 106 has acircular side wall 118 and an inner end wall 119. The side wall 118 hasan external ridge 122 and a plurality of slots 120 which create aplurality of outwardly extending segments 121. The outer periphery ofthe side wall 118 defines an outer circular opening 124. The inner endwall 119 is transverse to the side wall 118 and has an inner circularopening 126. A circular inwardly facing flange 128 is located at theouter peripheral edge of the wall 119.

The cap assembly 52 is assembled by inserting the thrust washer 106 intothe cap 104 so that the side wall 118 extends through the opening 114 ofthe cap. The outer diameter of the ridge 122 is slightly greater thanthe diameter of the circular opening 114. The thrust washer 106 and thecap are both constructed of a relatively rigid thermoplastic material byinjection molding. However, the segments 121 of the thrust washer 106are sufficiently resilient so as to be deflected toward the center ofthe opening 126 when they are forced against the peripheral edge of theopening 114. The ridge 122 has an outwardly facing beveled surface whichforces each segment 121 of the wall 118 inwardly towards the centralaxis of the thrust washer when the wall 118 of the thrust washer isforced against the edge of the opening 114. This causes the wall 118 tobe forced through the opening 114 of the wall 112 so that the externalridge 122 is located on the outside of the wall 112 and yieldably locksthe thrust washer in position within the cap 104 as shown in FIG. 5. Thethrust washer 106 is releasably locked against movement along the axis115 relative to the cap 104 but is free to rotate about the axis 115relative to the cap 104.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 7-11, the fluid coupling means orcoupler 54 comprises a horizontal main body portion 132 which has acentral longitudinal axis 127. A connector fitting which is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 130 is located at the outer end ofthe housing and a terminal nipple 134 is located at the inner end of thehousing. The connector fitting 130 is adapted to be operativelyconnected to the complementary manifold fitting 55, see FIGS. 32-34, ofaspirating means which forms part of an analytical instrument (notshown). The connector fitting 130 has an outer end surface 129 which hasa circular groove 131. An elastomeric sealing ring 133 is located withinthe groove 131 and extends beyond the outer end surface 129. Theconnector fitting 130 has a relatively wide tab 137 and a relativelynarrow tab 139. In the preferred embodiment, the tabs 137 and 139 arediametrically opposed and extend transversely of the longitudinal axis127. Alternate positioning and configuration of the tabs of theconnector fitting may be accomplished to engage a respective manifoldfitting. Tab 137 has an inwardly facing engaging surface 141. One end ofthe surface 141 has a bevel 143. A flange stop 145 is located at theopposite end of the surface 141 and extends inwardly and transversely ofthe surface 141. The tab 139 has an inwardly facing engaging surface147. One end of the surface 147 has a bevel 149. An annular flange 136extends transversely from the central longitudinal horizontal axis 127and is located adjacent and spaced from the connector fitting 130. Apair of fingers 144 extends from the flange 136 toward the inner end ofthe main body portion 132. A longitudinal horizontal bore 138 extendsfrom an outer opening 140 at the fitting 130 through the main bodyportion 132 and the nipple 134 to an inner opening 142. The bore 138functions as a liquid passageway. An annular groove 146 is located inthe outer surface of the main body portion. A longitudinal groove 148 islocated in the outer surface of the main body portion 132 and intersectsthe annular groove 146. The longitudinal groove 148 functions as a gaspassageway. The coupling means 54 is operatively connected to thecomplementary manifold fitting 55 fixture of an analytical instrumentwhich is capable of creating a suction at the opening 140.

Referring to FIGS. 32-34, the manifold fitting 55 includes a manifoldcavity 150 and a front opening 152 to the cavity. A fluid port 156 islocated in an access surface 154 which forms the base of the cavity andwhich faces the front opening 152. The fluid port 156 is connected to asource of sub-atmospheric pressure, which is part of the analyticalinstrument (not shown). A first projection 158 and a second projection160 extend toward each other at the opening 152. The projections 158 and160 are spaced from each other and define therebetween a firstrelatively wide slot 162 and a second relatively narrow slot 164. Theprojection 158 has an inner surface 159 which is spaced from and facesthe access surface 154. The projection 160 has an inner surface 161which is spaced from and faces the access surface 154.

The operation and advantages of a fluid delivery system of the presentinvention will now be readily understood in view of the abovedescription. After the valve assembly 50 has been assembled as shown inFIG. 6, it is inserted into the opening 48 of the bottle 40 as shown inFIG. 5.

The valve assembly 50 is applied to the bottle 40 by inserting theassembly into the bore 48 of the neck portion 44 of the bottle in afixed predetermined position. The valve assembly is inserted so that theair vent 68 of the housing 56 faces upwardly and the tube 61 extendsdownwardly when the bottle 40 is in a generally horizontal position asshown in FIG. 2. The housing is fixed to the bottle in any one ofseveral ways. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing is fixedto the neck of the bottle, by fusing the flange 70 to the recessedannular edge 53 of the bottle, preferably by ultrasonic welding. Whenthis procedure is used, the annular bead 72 functions as an energydirector for the ultrasonic energy and is fused to the edge 53.

In another embodiment of the invention, the valve assembly 50 is fixedto the neck of the bottle by "press fitting" the housing 56 within thebore or opening 48. This is accomplished in one of two ways. A press fitis accomplished by making the outer diameter of the insertable portionof the housing slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore 48 so thatthe elongated beads 63 extend beyond the diameter of the bore 48. Thehousing 56 is then forced into the bore 48. The beads 63 distort due tothe plastic composition of the housing and enable the housing to remainin the fixed predetermined position.

The valve assembly can also be press fitted into the bore 48 by makingthe outer diameter of the insertable portion of the housing slightlylarger than the diameter of the bore 48. In this preferred embodiment,the inclusion of the beads 63 is optional. The tapered configuration ofthe main body portion 69 facilitates the press fitting of the housing56.

The valve assembly can also be locked in the bottle by tab means 74 asdescribed above.

The cap assembly 52 is then screwed onto the neck 44 of the bottle. Asthe cap assembly is rotated, the flanges 98, 89 and 70 are squeezedtogether. This provides a liquid and air-tight seal between the valveassembly and the bottle at the neck 44. When the cap assembly istightened sufficient to cause friction between the thrust washer 106 andthe elastomeric flange 98, the thrust washer 106 stops rotating with thecap as the cap continues to be mined in the advancing direction onto theneck 44. As a result, during the cap's torquing, the thrust washerapplies only a horizontal force to the elastomeric flanges 98 and 89.This prevents twisting or distortion of the flanges 98 and 70 in any wayexcept by direct horizontal compression as the cap is tightened. Thisalso enables the cap to advance by compressing the flanges 89 and 98until the inwardly facing flange 128 of the thrust washer engages theouter edge of the neck 44. This provides a positive and reproduciblestop during the cap's torquing onto a bottle. This predeterminedcompression of the flanges 98 and 70 creates an ideal sealing condition.After the cap assembly 52 has been applied to the valve assembly andbottle, the bottle is thereby sealed against the flow of liquid or gasinto or out of the bottle. This represents the first state of the valveassembly. The tube 61 creates a passageway for fluid in the bottle tothe inner second chamber 82, but the wall 84 prevents the fluid frompassing into the chamber 80. Air within the bottle is free to enter thefirst chamber 62 of the housing through the air vent 68 and into the airducts 86, but the second valve member 60 forms a seal at the openings 86to prevent air from going beyond of the outer second chamber 80. Aclosure tab (not shown) is inserted into cap opening 114 to keep thevalve assembly free of dust.

The connector firing 130 of the coupling means 54 is operativelyconnected to the complementary manifold fitting 55. The connectorfitting 130 is inserted into the cavity 150 of the manifold fitting 55by aligning the tab 137 with the slot 162 and the tab 139 with the slot164 and pushing the end surface 129 toward the access surface 154. Thecoupling means 54 is then rotated clockwise to a predetermined positionas viewed in FIG. 34. The bevels 143 and 149 engage the inner surfaces159 and 161, respectively and function as cam surfaces to guide the tabs137 and 139 between each of the first and second projections 158 and160, respectively, and the access surface 154. The bevels 143 and 149are biased against the surfaces 159 and 161, respectively, by theelastomeric sealing ring 133. When the tabs 137 and 139 are positionedbehind the projections 158 and 160, respectively, the sealing ring iscompressed against the access surface 154 and forms a seal around theport 156. The coupling means 54 is rotated about the axis 127 forapproximately 90°, at which point the flange 145 engages the adjacentedge 163 of the projection 158 to prevent further rotation. At thispoint, the longitudinal groove 148 faces upwardly as shown in FIG. 34.Connector fitting 130 of the coupling means 54 is operatively connectedto the manifold fitting 55 as shown in FIG. 34. The opening 140 of thebore 138 is axially aligned with the port 156 so that the port 156 isoperatively connected to the bore or liquid passageway 138.

The coupling means 54 is operatively connected to the valve assembly bymoving the bottle toward the manifold so that the coupling means extendshorizontally into the third chamber 92. When this occurs, the nipple 134enters into the small diameter bore 93, thereby expanding the bore 93and simultaneously expanding the slit 90 sufficiently to allow thenipple to penetrate the wall 84 and extend into the inner second chamber82 as shown in FIG. 5. The shoulder 135 of the main body portion engagesthe wall 84 and forces the wall 84 away from the inner end of the secondvalve member 60, thereby creating a passageway between the chamber 62and the chamber 80. When the coupling means 54 is fully inserted intothe valve assembly 50 as shown in FIG. 5, the annular ridge 102 of thesecond valve member engages the annular groove 146 of the coupling means54 so that the coupling means is properly located within the valveassembly at a predetermined location relative to the valve assembly. Atthe same time, the fingers 144 engage the outer wall 112 of the cap 104to prevent the coupling means from going beyond this predeterminedposition. The fingers 144 also function as finger grips for enabling anoperator to easily connect and disconnect the coupling means 54 to themanifold fitting 55. When the coupling means 54 is properly located, theinner end of the groove 148 extends into the outer second chamber 80.The outer end of the groove 148 extends beyond the cap assembly 52 tocreate an air or gas passageway between the chamber 80 to a pointoutside of the bottle cap. When the bottle is connected to the couplingmeans 54, it is supported on a slightly inclined supporting tray 170,which forms part of the analyzing instrument (not shown). The bottle issupported in a substantially horizontal position and with a slightupward tilt toward the opening of the bottle due to the inclined angleof the supporting tray. The bottle is filled with fluid to the extentthat the fluid is just below the air vent 68 and the groove 148 so thatthese elements lie in the air space above the top of the bottle abovethe fluid. This air space is minimal and filling of the bottle ismaximized by the fact that the air vent 68 is located at the top of thehousing 56, the groove 148 is located at the top of the coupling means54, the neck 44 of the bottle 40 is located above the center line of thebottle and the bottle is tilted slightly upward toward the neck portion44. When suction is applied at the opening 140 of the fitting 130, fluidor reagent is drawn from the bottle through the tube 61 to the chamber82 and thence to the opening 140 through the bore 138 of the couplingmeans 54 for further routing from the manifold for use by the analyticalinstrument. As reagent is drawn from the bottle, a volume of air or gasis drawn into the bottle through the passageway which is created by thegroove 148, the chamber 80, openings 86, chamber 62 and opening 68.

Clearly, minor changes may be made in the form and construction of theinvention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not,however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shownand described, but it is desired to include all such as properly comewithin the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. A valve assembly for a fluiddelivery system for aspirating liquid from a bottle and conveying theliquid to an analyzing instrument, said bottle having an interior space,a bottom wall, a side wall and a cylindrical tubular neck portion whichextends substantially horizontally from said side wall, said neckportion having a bore, said bore having an inner opening to the interiorspace and an outer opening to the outside of the bottle, said valveassembly comprising:(a) a valve housing which has a cylindrical mainbody portion for insertion into the bore of said neck portion of thebottle, said main body portion having a substantially horizontal centrallongitudinal axis, a primary bore which extends along said axis, aninner end portion which lies within the interior space of the bottle andan outer end portion which is located at the outer opening of thebottle, a secondary bore at said inner end portion which extends at adownward angle relative to said axis from said primary bore to theinterior space of the bottle when said housing is at a predeterminedangular position about said axis, and an opening to the primary bore atsaid outer end portion; (b) an elastomeric valve, said valve having ahead portion which lies in said primary bore and a flexible neck portionwhich contains a socket and which is located at said secondary bore; and(c) an elongated tube, one end of said tube being located in said socketso that said tube extends at a downward angle relative to said axisthrough said secondary bore down to the bottom surface of the bottle. 2.A valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said valve housing has acam surface at the inner end of said primary bore which extendsdownwardly from said primary bore to said secondary bore for deflectingthe neck portion of the valve to said secondary bore for forming a sealbetween the tube and said housing at said secondary bore.
 3. A valveassembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said main body portion has anair vent to said primary bore at the top of said main body portion whensaid housing is in said predetermined angular position and said valvehas an air duct which is operatively connected to said air vent.
 4. Avalve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said main body portion hasan air vent to said primary bore at the top of said main body portionwhen said housing is in said predetermined angular position, and whereinsaid valve has a first normally closed state for preventing the flow ofair into the bottle and the flow of liquid out of the bottle and asecond state wherein gas is allowed to flow into the bottle from outsideof the bottle and liquid is allowed to flow out of the bottle throughthe valve.
 5. A valve housing for a fluid delivery system for aspiratingliquid from a bottle and conveying the liquid to an analyzinginstrument, said bottle having an interior space, a bottom wall, a sidewall and a cylindrical tubular neck portion which extends substantiallyhorizontally from said side wall, said neck portion having a bore, saidbore having an inner opening to the interior space and an outer openingto the outside of the bottle, said fluid delivery system having anelongated tube and an elastomeric valve, said valve having a flexibleneck portion which contains a socket for receiving one end of said tube,said valve housing comprising:(a) a cylindrical main body portion forinsertion into the horizontal neck portion of a bottle, said main bodyportion having a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis, anouter free end which has an outer opening, an inner opening, and aprimary bore which extends along said axis from said outer opening tosaid inner opening said main body having an air vent to said primarybore at the top of said main body portion when said housing is at apredetermined angular position relative to said central longitudinalaxis; and (b) an inner end portion which is connected to said main bodyportion, said inner end portion having an inner free end which has aninner opening and a secondary bore which extends at a downward anglerelative to said axis from the inner opening of said primary bore to theinner opening of said free end when said housing is at saidpredetermined angular position relative to said axis said valve housingbeing constructed to be able to receive said elastomeric valve and saidtube extends at a downward angle relative to said axis from said socketthrough said secondary bore.
 6. A valve housing as recited in claim 5,wherein said valve housing has a cam surface at the inner end portion ofsaid primary bore which extends downwardly from said primary bore tosaid secondary bore when said valve housing is in said predeterminedangular position.
 7. A valve housing as recited in claim 5, furthercomprises locking means for locking said housing in said predeterminedangular position within the bore of the neck portion of the bottle.
 8. Avalve housing as recited in claim 7, wherein said main body portion hasa cylindrical outer surface and at least one elongated bead at saidcylindrical outer surface, said bead being substantially parallel tosaid axis to provide a press fit when said housing is inserted into thebore of the bottle.
 9. A thermoplastic valve housing for a fluiddelivery system for aspirating liquid from a thermoplastic bottle andfor conveying the liquid to an analyzing instrument, said bottle havingan interior space and a horizontal tubular neck portion which has anouter end opening and a bore which extends from the outer end opening tothe interior space of the bottle, said valve housing comprising:(a) acylindrical main body portion for insertion into the horizontal neckportion of a bottle, said main body portion having a substantiallyhorizontal central longitudinal axis and a primary bore which extendsalong said axis; (b) an inner end portion which is connected to saidmain body portion, said inner end portion having an inner free end whichhas an inner opening and a secondary bore which extends at a downwardangle relative to said axis from said primary bore to said inneropening; and (c) an outer end portion which is connected to said mainbody portion, said outer free end having an outer opening to saidprimary bore, an annular flange which has an inner surface for engagingthe outer end surface of the neck of a bottle and an annular bead atsaid inner surface, said bead functioning as an energy director forultrasonic welding of said bead to the outer end surface of the neck ofthe bottle.